2014 Minnesota Statutes

155A.271 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.

Subdivision 1.Continuing education requirements.

Effective August 1, 2014, to qualify for license renewal under this chapter as an individual cosmetologist, nail technician, esthetician, or salon manager, the applicant must attest to the completion of four hours of continuing education credits from an accredited school or a professional association of cosmetology during the three years prior to the applicant's renewal date. One credit hour of the requirement must include instruction pertaining to state laws and rules governing the practice of cosmetology. Three credit hours must include instruction pertaining to health, safety, and sanitation matters consistent with the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards applicable to the practice of cosmetology, or other applicable federal health, sanitation, and safety standards, and must be regularly updated so as to incorporate newly developed standards and accepted professional best practices. Credit hours earned are valid for three years and may be applied simultaneously to all individual licenses held by a licensee under this chapter. This subdivision does not apply to instructors or inactive licenses.

Subd. 2.Schools and professional associations.

(a) Only a board-licensed school of cosmetology, a postsecondary institution as defined in section 136A.103, paragraph (a), or a board-recognized professional association may offer continuing education curriculum for credit under this section. The school and professional association may offer online and independent study options to achieve maximum involvement of licensees and is encouraged to offer classes available in foreign language formats.

(b) Board recognition of a professional association is valid for three years and is contingent upon submission and preapproval of the general curriculum to be offered. The board may revoke recognition at any time for just cause. The professional association offering continuing education must be organized under chapter 317A.

Subd. 3.Proof of credits.

The school or professional association shall provide to licensees who attend a class a receipt to prove completion of the class. Licensees shall retain proof of their continuing education credits for one year beyond the credit's expiration. The school or professional association shall retain documentation of all licensees successfully completing a class and the licensee's credit hours for five years.

Subd. 4.Audit.

The board shall conduct random audits of active licensees periodically to ensure compliance with continuing education requirements. To initiate an audit, the board shall notify an active licensee of the audit and request proof of credits earned during a specified period. The licensee must provide the requested proof to the board within 30 days of an audit notice. The board may request that a school or professional association verify a licensee's credits. The school or professional association must furnish verification, or a written statement that the credits are not verified, within 15 days of the board's request for verification. If the board determines that a licensee has failed to provide proof of necessary credits earned during the specified time, the board may revoke the individual's license and may deem the individual a lapsed practitioner subject to penalty under section 155A.25 or 155A.36.

History:

2013 c 85 art 5 s 28; 2014 c 162 s 5